CMS panel tepid on interventions for patients with chronic venous disease

A panel of the Medicare Evidence Development and Coverage Advisory Committee of the CMS voted that it has moderate confidence that there is sufficient evidence for intervention that improves health outcomes for certain adults with chronic venous disease.

Patient Advocacy Workshops

Find out more about this year’s Patient Advocacy Workshop and how to start your application here.

Physician, Patient Advocates: Don’t Exempt CME From Sunshine Reporting

The president of the National Center for Health Research said pharmaceutical and device companies sponsor most continuing medical education programs because they’ve got something to sell.

Dems’ Platform Highlights ACA, Reproductive Rights

By Joyce Frieden, MEDPAGE July 5, 2016 The Affordable Care Act (ACA), high prescription drug costs, and reproductive health all figure prominently in the Democratic Party’s new draft platform. The draft platform, released Friday, touched several other items of interest to health analysts, including community health centers, gun violence, and mental health. The health insurance…

Selling Side Effects: Big Pharma’s Marketing Machine

By Michelle Llamas, Drugwatch 2016 Convincing people they are sick and need a drug is a multi-billion dollar industry. In 2015, Big Pharma dropped a record-breaking $5.4 billion on direct-to-consumer (DTC) ads, according to Kantar Media. And it paid off for Big Pharma. The same year, Americans spent a record $457 billion on prescription drugs. The U.S.…

Ikea Is Recalling 1.7 Million More Dressers in China

By Claire Zillman, Fortune July 12, 2016 Ikea expanded the recall of its problematic Malm dressers to China on Tuesday as the country’s General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection, and Quarantine announced that the Swedish retailer had submitted a recall plan that applies to about 1.7 million products in mainland China. In late June, Ikea announced the…

Congress Shouldn’t Pass The 21st Century Cures Act In A Summer Rush

The full Senate may in the next few days consider companion legislation to the 21st Century Cures Act that passed the House last year. The legislation—currently 19 separate bills—makes substantial changes to the way the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves drugs and devices. The legislation, while containing some useful measures, is flawed. Instead of hastily agreeing to it, Congress should postpone consideration until 2017 and attach the best of the 19 bills (see below) to must-pass legislation on FDA funding through industry user fees.

What’s on the Table for the July US-EU Talks Beginning Today?

By Celia Wexler, Who.What.Why. July 11, 2016 EU Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmström listed several priorities for the European Union when it resumes trade negotiations with the United States on July 11. They include: […] • Greater regulatory cooperation for prescription drugs and medical devices. […] Prescription drugs and medical devices Malmström insists that the EU and the US…

5 Airplane Travel Health Tips

Natalie Rosseau 2016 Did you know that more than 230 million passengers are scheduled to fly on U.S. airlines this summer, setting a record high for summer air travel? If you or your loved ones are among them, here are some tips for safe and healthy flights this summer (and some are good for other…

“Study drug” abuse by college students: What you need to know

Approximately 2.5 million Americans are prescribed prescription stimulants such as Adderall or Ritalin to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). ADHD is a brain disorder that makes it difficult to concentrate and increases impulsive behavior. Prescription stimulants help to reduce these symptoms. However, many people use these drugs for non-medical purposes and without a prescription, especially college students who buy them from a friend with a prescription.